Libor Sionko scored twice to help the Czech Republic clinch a morale boosting victory in their last warm up game against Scotland prior to Euro 2008. For an hour the game was deadlocked before Sionko and Michal Kadlec gave the Czech’s the advantage. David Clarkson managed the solitary reply for the visitors.

 

 

Coach Karel Bruckner named possibly his strongest team with this weekend’s opening match of Euro 2008 against hosts Switzerland at the forefront of his thinking. Marek Jankulovski captained the team for the first time and Jan Koller led the line in attack.

For the first half, Scotland were successfully able to limit the Czech Republic to just a few opportunities. Jan Koller had the home team’s best chance, missing a header from close range in the early minutes of the game.

 

Bruckner made five changes at half-time with David Jarolim and Kadlec coming on to give the Czech midfield more impetus. Their effect was realised in the 60^th minute when Sionko latched on to a pass from Zdenek Pospech to finish expertly.

Kadlec clinched the victory on 84 minutes before a late consolation for Scotland from debutant Clarkson and a second for Sionko in the last minute gave the scoreline a slightly flattering look.

Overall, Bruckner was delighted with the performance and how his team persisted before eventually breaking down an organized defense. He said “We knew it'd be difficult and it was. I'm very pleased with the result”.